Judge Orders Removal of Trump’s Name from Kennedy Center

A federal judge has decided that President Donald Trump’s name must be taken off the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This ruling came from U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, who stated that the Kennedy Center board acted outside its authority by renaming the building without a Congressional vote.

The judge’s decision requires the Trump administration to eliminate any signs with Trump’s name and remove mentions of the Trump Kennedy Center from official documents.

Cooper emphasized that the name of the Kennedy Center, given by Congress, should not be altered unilaterally by the board. He explained that the statutes for the Kennedy Center clearly indicate it was named for President Kennedy and cannot bear any other official name without Congressional approval.

The ruling resulted from a lawsuit initiated by Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio). The White House has not commented on the judge’s decision.

Earlier, Cooper denied a request from a preservation group for a temporary halt to the Kennedy Center’s planned two-year closure for renovations. It seems both lawsuits will continue to be pursued and could potentially lead to appeals.

Beatty, who serves on the board, welcomed the ruling, claiming it confirms there was no legal justification for the administration’s efforts to rename and close the center. She expressed her pride in advocating for the law and protecting what she called a sacred institution, noting that the Kennedy Center belongs to the American people, not to Trump.

In December, Trump’s name was added to the venue following a board’s unanimous decision. In February 2025, Trump removed 18 board members appointed by former President Joe Biden and took on the role of Kennedy Center Chairman.